How do u dance bachata
4 Basic Bachata Steps To Dance Any Song
As you should know bachata lives in the last years its golden age, as it has become one of the dances with more followers. A relatively easy dance for the beginners and where the most expert dancers have many possibilities to show their talents.
Emerged in the 1960s in the Dominican Republic as a transformation of the bolero to Antillean tastes, nowadays it is not missing in any dance hall or school with bachata lessons that boasts.
Its typical choreography was born in the 1990s, with two forms of bachata dancing:
- Dominican bachata: the couple usually dances with few figures and focusing on hip and foot movements.
- The urban bachata: the dancers get together and separate to be able to carry out different figures focusing the movements in the body.
For most experts, the main characteristic of bachata dancing is undoubtedly continuous hip movement, especially in the fourth beat (the rhythm of bachata has a four-beat beat, the dance of eight).
Bachata is a dance where personal style is fundamental. But what are the basic steps of bachata you should know to dance to any song?
#1. The basic step of bachata
The basic step of bachata, in fact, consists of three steps that are danced in the first three times and a touch with the sole of the foot that is performed in the fourth time.
When the sole of the foot touches the ground in the fourth period of time, the hip moves upward. A hip movement that is more marked in women than in men.
The basic step of bachata must be carried out in good style from the beginning of the learning process. A recommendation that is usually made to master it is to keep up with the music and keep your knees slightly bent. In this way, the movement of the hip will naturally arise.
#2. Turns in the bachata
One of the fundamental movements of bachata is the twists and turns.
The most basic of all is the one in which the man raises his arm so that the woman can make a complete turn to the rhythm of the music. Then they both return to the normal dance without losing the rhythm.
The process of the twist in the man and woman would be as follows:
- The return of the man in the bachata
As she dances, she counts the times in her mind (1,2,3,4), and when she reaches the fourth beat, she begins to raise her leading arm (the extended arm) over the couple's head, starting to release the pressure of the other arm.
In beat 1 of the next measure, the pair will begin to turn by making a circle under the man's arm, gently holding onto the leading arm.
The turn will finish in time 3, so that in time 4 both the man and the woman are dancing in sync again.
The return of the woman in the bachata
In time 4, the (extended) leading arm of the man begins to rise. At that point, keep holding on to the leading arm, but remove the other arm from the partner's shoulder and move under the leading arm curve.
In beat 1, the woman turns in a circle under her main arm, trying to finish the turn in beat 3. The intention is to reach the normal dance position in beat 4 and start again together the steps in the opposite direction in beat 1.
#3. Screw
Screw is a step of the bachata in which the girl passes in front of the boy. A position changed a little more complex than the previous ones, but without apparent difficulty.
In the coiling, the man advances and positions himself behind the woman. During the process, she will raise her left hand so that the woman can be placed in the screwed position.
In the course that the man passes behind the woman, she stays in the same place. This is how you get to the coiled position, with the man behind the woman.
#4.
The waves of bachataThe waves are one of the main movements of sensual bachata. A dance that, as its name suggests, plays with the sensuality of the movements.
The wave is a very simple step to execute. You just have to step forward the body a little, climb up, lean back slightly and bring that tilt from the head down as if it were a wave that slides through the body.
The continuous repetition of the movement will be what makes us look like a wave.
As you have seen, the steps of bachata are not really very complicated or complex. But like everything else, it takes a lot of practice to be able to score and let yourself be guided to perfection.
Bachata is a dance in which people of all ages can participate and lately it sounds everywhere, so go ahead, sign up for bachata classes whatever your level. You'll have a great time!
Bachata steps for beginners - go&dance
Are you looking for some basic steps of bachata for beginners because every time you listen to a bachata song your feet move, you feel the music deep inside you, but you are ashamed to dance because you don't know, or you think you don't know?
Then it's time to remedy the situation and sign up for dance classes: P
Some time ago we published 4 basic steps of bachata to dance to any song and perhaps you may be interested before reading on.
Starting bachata dancing is very easy
It's not about becoming a real specialist, but about dancing a song and enjoying dancing.
There is one very important thing to keep in mind, and that is that with only eight basic steps of bachata you can dance to any song.
But first, do you know the history of bachata? Who were its first singers? You can see it here.
First steps of bachata
If you've convinced yourself that you have to learn to dance bachata, even if it's a few steps or basic levels of bachata, cheer up! For now, all you have to do is continue reading.
To start bachata dancing, the first thing you need to know is that there are four pulses in each beat. Although you will see many figures, bachata is a very free dance. Once you know how to dance, you can improvise.
The different steps for dancing bachata vary between men and women.
For the woman, the basic step would be this: to begin with, following the rhythm of the music, she moves her right foot to the right, then her left foot to the right. You take a little break. In the third measure we would move the right foot to the right again, in the fourth measure we put together left and right foot and, while touching the ground with the sole of the left foot, we give a touch with the hip, with a blow of hip.
In the case of men, the steps are similar, but with some differences: you start with the left foot, dragging it to the left. Then the right foot to the left. In the third measure, repeat again and bring your left foot back to the left. In measure number four we will make the same movement as the woman, that is, join the two feet and touch the floor with the sole of the right foot. While touching the floor we raise the hip on the right side, in a marked way.
The basic step of bachata back and forth
As it is simple to suppose, the basic step of bachata backwards is the same as the basic lateral steps we have seen, but changing direction.
Instead of taking the steps to the left or right we will take the steps backwards in a row.
The basic forward step is the same as the backward step, but changing direction.
Couple dancing is combined with the step of bachata forward. One in the pair moves backward and the other in the pair moves forward.
The basic return of bachata in women
It is a very simple twist between the steps to learn to dance bachata. The start is with the basic lateral step. On the signal from the leader of the couple, the woman turns to her right. To do this, take a step to the right with your right foot. He then steps with his left foot, turning his body to the right. In the third half he takes a step with his right foot, turning his body to face his partner. In the fourth half, in the position facing your partner, you will touch the ground with the tip of your left foot.
the basic step of lateral back bachata
Most of the basic steps of bachata can be danced on the back. When dancing on the back, it is usually the woman who puts her partner on her back. In this way, the back side bachata step is the basic step of bachata, but made in that position.
At the man's signal, the woman changes her position, standing on her back with half a turn. In this position, the leader holds her left hand with his left hand and the right hand with his right, flexibly. This way, they will make the lateral step in the same direction.
Step in the same place with hip movement
These are some of the other typical dance steps in bachata. In this way, the rhythm is mainly marked with the hips, without taking any steps.
The body will be in the same place at all times, marking the rhythm with the hips. In time number four, a finish is made, raising the hip upwards.
If you liked this article, share it, I'm sure there are a lot of people who wonder what the basic steps are to start with bachata. We'd also like to read your comment, what did you think of these steps, did you know them?
Why will we never dance bachata like the Dominicans?
Dominicans dance bachata differently: light, uncomplicated, plastic. Their attitude to dance is simple - first of all, it is a communication tool, and never an end in itself. Almost none of them learned to dance specifically, in the Dominican Republic there are no bachata schools for locals, but everyone fervently moves their hips from birth.
On the island, a few people can explain the basics of plastic surgery or how to do the steps. And even then, they are mostly professional choreographers who dance other dances besides bachata.
But the naturalness and smoothness of the movements of most ordinary Dominicans is fascinating.
Our bachata is the result of training and labor
Europeans who dance bachata outside the Dominican Republic know what is right in music, what can and cannot be done, where are the boundaries of style and are aware of the intricacies of figure building. For a long time they learned the right flow, the right swing, the right plastique. Therefore, their bachata is more choreographic, more systematic and calculated, they take the dance seriously. Some are so serious that they start non-children's international holivars, distribute those who dance correctly and who do not into different camps.
For Dominicans, dancing is just one aspect of communication
Dominicans don't care how they dance. They are fascinated by the choreography of a moderna bachata dancer visiting the Dominican Republic and touched when a white man tries to dance authentically.
He tries - because in order to really dance like the Dominicans, you must first of all treat the dance in the same way, without piety, without cultivating a single correct style, forgetting that music can be counted. And above all, local dancers never make dance the main occasion of any event, be it a festival, a party or a meeting with friends.
Dance is only an addition to communication, a means for intimacy, for harmonizing and synchronizing the surrounding reality - music, a loved one, a buzz from movement. Therefore, when you go to an average Dominican party, you will see a lot of noisy drinking people, and dancers dancing just one figure during the whole evening. One Carl!
Video from the personal archive of Dasha Elizarova, project Bachateame Mamita
All the rules, consistency, figure building, disputes about how to dance a real bachata, authentic festivals were either created by non-minicans or appeared outside the island.
Dominicans are mainly engaged in each other, and dancing is a great prelude for this.
Video from the personal archive of Dasha Elizarova, project Bachateame Mamita
Women's style in bachata
We turn dance into a big event with rules
It's hard for us to give up the idea that dance should be varied, interesting, spectacular. From the idea that it is important to dance to a certain score, to break music into eights.
It is difficult to question the words of a beloved teacher who says that if you dance differently, you will betray the style. It is difficult to let go of yourself and your body, to go beyond the learned figures, it is difficult to improvise, it is difficult to find yourself in the dance.
But we dance the way we dance, because, unlike the Dominicans, we all learned this. We studied at dance schools, where they explained to us how to do it and how not to. And where very little attention is paid to the most important thing, to what the majority came to dance for - the pleasure of dancing, improvisation, attention to the person with whom you are dancing.
To a person, girl or man, and not a partner or partner, from whom you expect the correct conduct or execution of figures.
As a result, at parties, outside of dancing, we see bored figures buried in phones, waiting girls sadly sitting on the edges of the dance floor, and only occasionally - cheerful broken companies from those schools where communication is as important as dance.
We will never really dance bachata like the Dominicans. We came to dance for completely different reasons, we treat it in a completely different way, and it's too difficult to change it. Yes, and no need to change.
It is important to follow your line of dance development
We have a lot to learn from the Dominicans: ease of attitude to dance and the surrounding reality, the ability to find your own unique style within two or three basic steps. But, unlike them, the majority of dance school visitors are looking for, in addition to new communication, something completely different - an interesting hobby, an opportunity for self-realization, discovering new possibilities for their body and mind, a variety of figures and footwork, new approaches and interesting theories.
And in the Dominican Republic itself, there are dancers who are distinguished by the richness of their steps, their elegantly controlled style, a wide range of figures, and the clarity of lines and movements. Or too bright, too prominent character of the dance. But they usually say about such people that they dance inauthenticly, not the way they should.
Video from the personal archive of Dasha Elizarova, project Bachateame Mamita
We will never really dance bachata like the Dominicans. We came to dance for completely different reasons, we treat it in a completely different way, and it's too difficult to change it. Yes, and no need to change.
It is important to understand that with all possible trajectories of learning and immersion in culture, the most incorrect is the literal and blind copying of the external feed. Either find yourself, your style and your pleasure, as the Dominicans do, or develop yourself as a dancer without looking back at the external match with any original.
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- News
- Alena Stadnik
- June 25, 2017 at 7:00 am
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The publication does not update archived content, so you may want to check out more recent sources.
Bachata Photo: Jyri Lauis
Many of us believe that dance is just random movements that people century commits to music. This is an erroneous opinion. If we are talking about Latin American dances, then here the dance comes from the image of the dancer, from his thoughts, mood. The dance coach always tells his students that every movement unmistakably repeats the thought that flashed in his head at that moment.
Bachata dance is, first of all, grace, beauty, confidence, strength, freedom.
We asked bachata dancers what exactly this style means to them: five words that you can use to characterize dance, and how dance has changed your life? Julia: “The bachata dance is a whole universe, an expression of the deepest feelings through your body.
Not every story can be told, not all feelings can be expressed in words. Dance is a story about love, friendship, betrayal.
This is a whole performance that you can play with your partner for yourself or the public, but the goal and idea will still remain the same - to give vent to emotions, to express your deepest feelings. Many dancers say that more and more, the most important thing for them in dance is to get satisfaction, so that the dance resonates with the soul. When you dance, everything inside should tremble with pleasure. “After all, whatever you do, first of all, you should like your occupation yourself,” says Yulia. Katya, who has been dancing for more than 5 years, said that for her bachata is life, emotional outburst, flight, lightness and grace.
"Dance has always been a part of my life, influencing me in one way or another." Many dancers share the philosophy of life: the day was wasted if I did not dance. Bachata coaches say that absolutely everyone can be taught to move beautifully and harmoniously.
“The most important thing is desire and perseverance! However, you need to understand that professional dance is a real sport that requires huge investments: time, effort and emotions.
” Many agree that dance has changed their lives: at first it was just a hobby that naturally led to new acquaintances and some changes in character. And then there were new opportunities and new experiences.
The history of dance
Before we begin to list the characteristics and study the technique, it is necessary to know a little about how bachata appeared. The history of bachata originates in the Dominican Republic. This beautiful dance appeared in the middle of the last century, during the reign of the dictator Rafael Molina, and mostly only people from the lower stratum of society danced it. It should be noted right away that this period of time was quite difficult for the entire Dominican people - this is the reason that bachata was not recognized for a long time and was considered a dance of outcasts and the poor. Everything changed for the better at the end of the last century, when, thanks to the melancholic inclinations of a huge number of musicians, bachata began to gain unprecedented popularity.
To date, there are several varieties of the above dance, such as the Dominican bachata, the Italian bachata, as well as the bachatango, which is a kind of mixture of bachata and tango, which is danced to the appropriate music.
Features
Like any other form of dance, bachata has its own unique and inimitable features. The whole essence of this dance lies in the fact that each of the movements should be as coordinated as possible, and the legs should play the leading role. During the dance, the legs make fairly fast and intricate movements in one of the most common musical time signatures, four quarters, and the dance tempo is approximately one hundred and twenty beats per minute. In addition, there are a lot of turns in bachata that are performed almost continuously. It should be noted that in bachata four steps are taken from side to side or forward and backward. But the main "highlight" is that it is the last step that is emphasized, during which the foot is placed on the toe or heel.
Music
The leading musical element in the melody is requinto or acoustic guitar. As for the rhythm, it is set with the help of a guire or bongo. For a long time, bachata was called a vulgar dance. Therefore, the music did not sound on the radio, and it was simply impossible to purchase a record in stores. Bachata music was given new life by Juan Luis Guerra, who added more romance and melody to the melody. It is thanks to the colorful, expressive and incendiary music that an unforgettable dance is obtained, filled with passion, romance and love. An interesting fact is that one of the features of bachata music is the lack of clave rhythm, which distinguishes the melody from most Latin American musical genres.
Technique
How to learn to dance The modern version of bachata, the so-called “modern bachata”, is a more sensual, romantic and technical form of dance than the bachata danced by the villagers. Today, the greatest attention is paid to the plasticity of the body, as well as the ability of partners to dance erotically and at the same time maintain close contact.
